DATE=12/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243222
TITLE=INDIA / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE= DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN
DATELINE= NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  

INTRO: SONIA GANDHI, THE LEADER OF INDIA'S OPPOSITION CONGRESS 
PARTY, HAS DEPLORED THE U-S AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ ONE DAY AFTER 
INDIA'S PRIME MINISTER CALLED FOR A HALT TO THE ATTACKS. VOA NEW 
DELHI CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN HAS THE STORY.  

TEXT: SPEAKING TO A PARTY MEETING IN DELHI, MRS. GANDHI 
CRITICIZED BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES FOR LAUNCHING THE AIR 
STRIKES AND SAID THE ACTION IS A MATTER OF DEEP CONCERN TO THE 
CONGRESS PARTY.  

                            //  GANDHI ACT // 

 THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER IS BEING VIOLATED BY TWO PERMANENT 
MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL 
APPEARS HELPLESS.  THIS IS A MATTER OF PROFOUND CONCERN TO US. WE
DEPLORE THE BOMBING OF BAGHDAD BY THE UNITED STATES AND THE 
UNITED KINGDOM. 

                              //  END ACT //  

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE THURSDAY ALSO DEPLORED
THE AIR  STRIKES AND SAID THEY RAISE SERIOUS QUESITONS ABOUT THE 
PROCEDURES OF THE UNITED NATIONS.  HE SAID THE ATTACKS UNDERMINE 
THE SECURTIY COUNCIL'S ABILITY TO VERIFY IRAQ'S COMPLIANCE WITH 
RELEVANT COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.  

DESPITE THE STATEMENTS BY BOTH THE OPPOSITION AND GOVERNMENT 
LEADERS, SOME POLITICAL OBSERVERS DESCRIBE THE INDIAN RESPONSE AS
RESTRAINED. THEY SAY BOTH MAJOR PARTIES HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF 
OUTRIGHT CONDEMNATION OF THE AIR STRIKES.                        
             

/// REST OPT  /// THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN THURSDAY BEGAN 
LAUNCHING AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ IN A CAMPAIGN AIMED AT WRECKING THE
COUNTRY'S CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM. THE ATTACKS 
FOLLOWED WEDNESDAY'S EVACUATION OF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS FROM 
BAGHDAD AFTER THEY ACCUSED IRAQ OF HALTING COOPERATION. (SIGNED)

18-Dec-98 3:25 AM EST (0825 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.